Apparatus for applying a treating solution to reels and the like



Jan. 21, 1958 T. s. MAYNER 2,820,358

- APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A TREATING SOLUTION To REELS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 20, 1954 IAWENTOR.` THOMAS SMYNE/ l? L A770 /VEY APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A TREATING SOLU- 'IIN T0 REELS AND THE LIKE Application August 20, 1954, Serial No. 451,207 2 Claims. (Cl. 68-200) County,

Cleve- This invention relates to an apparatus for applying a treating solution of an aqueous nature and the like to a rotating thread storing, thread advancing device and the like.

Generally, where treating solutions are applied to thread storage and thread advancing devices such as reels, they are applied in an open manner, i. e., the solutions are applied as a stream, or as a spray onto the periphery of such a thread advancing device. Also, the solutions are applied by flooding the surface of the thread advancing reel; or, in instances, the thread advancing reel or la portion of it is immersed in a treating solution. It has been found, however, that these methods are not entirely eective, economical, or applicable in many instances to either slow or increased reel speeds.

The method of this invention for applying a liquid comprises, generally, the formation of a thin sheet or film o f liquid measured by an applying means and applying such film or sheet to the periphery of the well-known interdigitating bar type rotating reel. The method is advantageous for over a substantial reel speed range; and the applyingy means defines the area of application. The method further minimizes the quantities of solutions used, loss of the treating solution by splashing, and, it substantially fully controls the area of application on a reel.

The applying device, advantageously, is a solution storing, or conveying, and spreading or brushing means that is adapted to dispense amounts of liquid in a sheet or as ya film onto a roller reel periphery, or one formed of interdigitating bars, generally, in accordance with treatment requirements. Liquids are initially fed to the applying device and therethrough they are transmitted or conveyed to the periphery of a reel. The rate of flow is generally dependent on the type of aqueous treatment solution, the type of distributor, and the attraction of the material or surface that is wetted and its speed of rotation. The device advantageously may be a V-shaped liquid dispensing reservoir having a longitudinal, narrow bottom liquid outlet, or it may be a brush-like device into which a liquid is initial-ly supplied; or it may be a partially immersed brush and the like positioned in a liquid reservo1r.

The liquid applying portion of the device forming a lm may be a longitudinal slit positioned in near contact with the reel surface. A measured lilm is formed by the slit and it is drawn out by the reel periphery. Where the liquid applying device simulates a brush of hair-like material or of a plurality of loosely laminated layers of synthetic or other type materials that are capable of holding and transmitting a treating liquid, the quantity and size of the liquid film is measured and defined by the size of the applying surface. Further, where the brush-like device is immersed in a liquid and a portion of it contacts the reel surface a measured film is also formed, the feed to the reel being by wick action.

Where the speed of rotation of a reel is such so that there is a tendency to throw olf an openly applied liquid this invention will minimize such losses by spreading and Patented Jan. 21, 195

maintaining a measured film having a mass not subject to centrifugal forces. The liquid applying device also can be advantageously shaped to conform to the reel periphery for over a substantial portion of it to effect a longer application and impregnation of the liquid solution. The liquid applying device, further, may have one side longer than the other so that when it is positioned adjacent the periphery of the reel, the longer side. will tend to follow the periphery to further impregnate and help maintain the applied liquid on the reel surface.

The apparatus is of further advantage in the manufacture of viscose rayon in controlling a blanket of a treating fluid formed over a plurality of closely spaced helical turns as shown in United States Patent 2,272,182. A fully defined and measured lm blanket encompassing only a desired number of spaced thread turns for over several stages on a reel can be advantageously formed,

and maintained by means of the present method with improved impregnation on reels rotating at increased speeds; The liquid applying apparatus and its advantages are more thoroughly described in the following specification and in the accompanying drawing where:

Figure l represents a thread storing, thread advancing reel with at least two brush-like liquid applying devices positioned adjacent its periphery;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 represent V-shaped liquid storing and applying devices;

Figures 5 and 6 represent further modifications of the liquid brush-like applying device in substantially rectangular form; and

Figure 7 represents a still further modification of the applicator of this invention, immersed in a reservoir containing a treating solution.

Referring to Figure l of the drawing an interdigitating, thread storing, thread advancing reel 10 (generally shown) mounted about a shaft 11 is adapted to store a length of thread 12 in a plurality of helical turns 13. Adjacent the polygonal periphery of the reel and substantially above it there are positioned at least two liquid applying thread treating devices 1S and 16. Treating liquids are supplied to the interior of the devices 15 and 16 through supply tubes 1'7 and l. The tubes 17 and 18 desirably extend into the bodies 19 and 20 of each of the devices 15 and 16. The liquid then is adapted to flow through provided wall openings 25 into the brush-like applying sections or distributors 21, 22 positioned immediately below. The sections 21, 22 are in light contact with the reel periphery. The liquid is fed to the reel surface through the brush-like sections 21, 22 in a measured lilm since it is constrained by their shape. The shapes of the sections 2i, 22 may vary, and they may be taperedas shown. As the reel l() rotates the liquid is drawn out of the brush-like applicators 15 and 16 and it is spread over the reel periphery to form defined wetted areas, such as zones 14. As the liquids iiow out of the applicators 15, 16 onto the reel surfaces, they are gently and rmlybrushed into the thread.

The applicators 15 and 16, as shown in Figure l, m-ay be formed of strandular or hair-like materials having' characteristics adapted to handle the particular fluids thatare being applied. Further, because of their shape and construction, the applicators are adapted to substantially' control the ow and areas of application on a reel.t

Splashing of the liquids also is minimized since the liquids low out of the applicators directly to the reel surface and they are thereafter gently maintained on the reel periphery. Actual Contact with a reel surface and subse quent extended peripheral coverage by the applicators will, further, effect an improved impregnation of thread on the reel. An even and a uniform treatment thus may be provided and maintained.

Figure 2 shows the construction of the applicators of asaoss Figure 1 in greater detail. A liquid supplying tube 17 extends into a mounting 19 having secured to itself a V-shaped brush-like liquid applying section 21. The `supply 17 provides the section 21 with a thread or yarn treating liquid through side openings 25. The liquid applicator, in this modification, simulates a pointed brush which is formed by narrowing down the sides 26 to a limited applying section 27. The long narrow outlet or liquid applying end 27 at the bottom "of the brush is, desirably, of such size so as to furnish, in adequate quantitiesfluid in the form of a measured thin sheet, or film.

Instead of strandular, e. g. hair-like materials, the applicators 15, 16 can be V-shaped troughs formed of single walls and end closures. The outlet, further, may be or such size dso that no treating liquid will iiow out if the applicator. is positioned away from the reel periphery. Should, however, such an applicator be positioned in such proximity so that the rotating reel will break the surface tension of the liquid sustained in the trough outlet, the liquid then will be drawn out in quantities depending upon rotation of the reel. Advantageously, such a positioning of the applicator will provide for a controlled` ow of a liquid.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, instead of using hair-like materials, a V-shaped liquid container and distributor having a minimum amount of material can be utilized. The container interior can serve as a liquid receiving trough. The mounting orsupporting portion 30 may or may not be integrated with the distributor and whenever it is it may conform to the shape of the supply tube 31. Advantageously a plastic material such as nylon may be utilized and securely hung in a duid-tight relation on the supply tube 31. The ends, of course, are also enclosed. The exible liquid applying outlet 27' is a long narrow slit so as to measure out a quantity of liquid to be applied to the reel surface. Liquid is fed into the section of the distributor 32 through similar openings 25 in the supply 31.

The construction, advantageously, may be further modied so as to have an extension of one of the forming sides, such as is shown in Figure 4. A V-shaped liquid applicator similar to that shown in Figure 3 is suspended from a supply tube 39 to which it is secured by a clamp 40. The applicator has two unequal sides 41, 42. The side 42 is made longer .so as 'to extend along a reel periphery for a sufficient distance to spread the applied liquid, and to maintain it in contact with the reel surface for a longer period. Such an extended portion aids in the distribution, application, and maintenance of the treating liquid on the reel periphery. It also minimizes spiashing.

In Figures and 6 the liquid applicator may comprise substantially rectangularly shaped brushes formed of flexible laminated or strandular material that are adapted to conduct a treating tluid to the generally circular periphery of a reel. In Figure 5 laminations 50 comprising a plurality of layers of suitable material are suspended from a mounting 49 on supply tube 48. The laminations may be separated at the treating liquid supplying tube so as to form a trough 52 into which a treating liquid initially ows. The laminations also may be as an undivided unit throughout their length. The treating liquid will iow out of the plurality of openings 25 in the supply tube 48 directly into the rectangular liquid distributor and therethrough onto the reel periphery. In Figure 6 the applicator is formed of a rectangularly shaped strand- Yand the liquid applying ends of ular brush 61 secured in a mounting 60. The brush-like applicators of Figures 5 and 6 may be of a thickness so as to extend over a substantial portion of a reel periphery such brushes can be shaped to conform with the reel circumference.

The further modification shown in Figure 7 comprises a substantially rectangularly shaped brush formed of ilexible laminated or hair-like materials, that is positioned in a separate and adjacent trough 71 containing a treating liquid. The ow of the treating liquid to the reel 10 is by means of capillary action, and the amount flowing will be, of course, dependent upon the depth of immersion of the brush as well as the rotation of the reel 10.

The aforesaid manner of applying a treating liquid to an interdigitating bar member type rotating reel advantageously provides for controlled flows and delineated areas. Such reels are generally commonly utilized in the treatment of thread. The size and shape of the liquid distributor determines the extent of application of a liquid to a reel as well as prevention of loss of treating fluids by minimizing and controlling their splashing. In continuous processes for the manufacture of viscose rayon, for instance, a plurality of treating steps are performed in a sequential manner. It is desirable to apply the plurality of aqueous treatments such as acid washes, desulphuring, bleaching, etc. economically, etliciently and without splashing of adjacent apparatus. The aforesaid treatments can be applied by the method and apparatus herein described.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination with a rotating thread-advancing, thread-storage reel over which a single layer ot thread is adapted to be advanced through a plurality of consecutively spaced turns as a helix; a stationary, generally V-shaped, flexible walled, treating liquid applicator positioned with its narrow end in brushing contact with the said reel; a liquid supply conduit supporting said applicator and being positioned in the broader section of said applicator; and said narrow end applying a treating liquid across a consecutive portion of advancing thread turns of said helix.

2. In combination with a rotating thread-advancing, thread-storage reel having a periphery over which a single layer of thread is adapted to be advanced through a plurality of consecutively spaced turns as a helix; a stationary, generally V-shaped liquid applicator of flexible bers ending in a narrow liquid applying end positioned in brushing contact with said reel; a liquid supply conduit supporting said applicator and being positioned in the broader upper section of said applicator; and said narrow end applying a liquid across a consecutive portion of advancing thread turns of said helix. Y

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,272,182 Burkholder Feb. 10, 1942 v2,335,726 AVernS NOV. 30, 1943 2,368,648 Dulken Feb. 6, 1945 2,454,553 Eisner Nov. 23, 1948 2,562,199 McLellan July 31, 1951 2,593,555 Y Guy Apr. 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 636,822 Germany Oct. 17, 1936 

